Vaikeuksien

Vaikeuksien is the genitive plural form of the Finnish noun vaikeus, which means difficulty, challenge, obstacle, or hardship. In Finnish, the genitive plural signals a relationship to difficulties rather than a simple plural count, and it appears in phrases that describe conditions, causes, or associations connected to difficulties.

Common uses and grammar

Vaikeuksien is used with postpositions and in noun phrases to indicate relation to difficulties. Examples include phrases such as vaikeuksien kautta (through difficulties), dificuldades? no, kautta means through; vaikeuksien vuoksi (due to difficulties); and vaikeuksien voittaminen (the overcoming of difficulties). The form also appears in expressions that describe experiences or processes involving difficulties, such as vaikeuksien myötä or vaikeuksien täyttämä elämä. As a genitive plural, vaikeuksien does not change for number beyond indicating multiple difficulties and is often followed by a noun or verb that completes the idea.

Etymology and usage

Vaikeus is a native Finnish word with an old semantic core related to hardship or burden. The genitive plural muodollisesti marks possession or association, a common pattern in Finnish grammar. Vaikeuksien is frequent in written and spoken Finnish, appearing in journalism, literature, and everyday speech, especially when discussing challenges, obstacles, or periods of adversity.

Cultural note

A well-known Finnish expression incorporating vaikeuksien is Vaikeuksien kautta voittoon, a motto used to evoke perseverance through adversity. The phrasing highlights resilience and the idea that difficulties can be navigated to achieve success.